Auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle comprises a frame having side members on opposite sides of a receiving space to receive the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle when connected thereto. The assembly has a pair of wheels having a common axis but each being independently mounted to a side member opposite the receiving space, and the pair of wheels substantially in contact with the ground surface at all speeds and is not adapted to selectively lift the wheels. The frame also is substantially at or below the axis of rotation of the rear wheel of the motorcycle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of auxiliary wheel conversionassemblies for motorcycles whereby they can be converted from aconventional two wheel motorcycle into a tricycle type of vehicle. Theconversion assembly in this case can be easily and quickly connected toa motorcycle for use as a tricycle type vehicle, then just as easily andquickly disconnected for use as a conventional two wheel motorcycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prior art of which the inventor is aware include the devices andassemblies which are shown and described in the following United Statespatents:

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,141 for a kit for converting a motorcycle toa tricycle

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,689 for a motorcycle conversion rear axlemounting system

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,659 for a vehicle fraction attachment

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,960 for a motorcycle conversion kit

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,402 for a two wheel motorized vehicle sidewheel outrigger assembly

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,000 for a motorcycle with auxiliary wheel

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,098 for a three wheeled automotive vehicle

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,891 for auxiliary wheel supports for vehicles

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 1,956,319 for a convertible motorcycle chassis

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 1,933,102 for a motor tricycle

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 1,279,070 for a tractor attachment

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 1,152,821 for a motor vehicle

[0015] Prior art conversion kits and assemblies for converting a twowheel motorcycle into a tricycle type vehicle have a number ofdisadvantages. Many of them require removal of the rear drive wheel ofthe motorcycle and connection of the drive mechanism to the wheels ofthe conversion assembly. Others require extensive connection of theconversion assembly to the motorcycle making it difficult if notimpractical to change back for use as a conventional two wheelmotorcycle. Some of the prior art devices require permanent connectionof the conversion kits to the motorcycle, with pivot arm assemblies topivot the auxiliary wheels out for use of the auxiliary wheels and topivot them back alongside the motorcycle when it is desired to use as atwo wheel motorcycle. In such cases, the auxiliary wheels must ofnecessity be smaller than the auxiliary wheels so they do not come intocontact with the ground when pivoted to their out-of-use positionalongside the motorcycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The auxiliary wheel conversion assembly in accordance with thepresent invention is constructed in such a way that it can be quicklyand easily connected to and disconnected from a motorcycle. Theauxiliary wheels can be and are as large as the rear drive wheel of themotorcycle, and are preferably the same size as the motorcycle's reardrive wheel.

[0017] The conversion assembly is of lightweight and simplifiedconstruction, comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart sidemembers, which extend parallel to each other on opposite sides of areceiving space for the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle, then havingdiagonal portions which extend forwardly from that point to convergetoward each other, terminating at forward ends which are spaced apartmore closely than the rearwardly facing ends of the side frame members.A cross-bar extends across the rear of the conversion assembly from therearward facing end of one side member to the rearward facing end of theother.

[0018] A connection plate is mounted to the lower and forward portion ofthe motorcycle frame, having laterally extending tubular insert members.Corresponding sleeve members are provided at the forward ends of eachside frame member to receive the insert members of the connection platesecured to the motorcycle frame, thereby connecting the conversionassembly to the motorcycle. Locking pins are provided to screw into aninternally threaded portion of the sleeve members, such locking pinshaving shaft portions which extend into cylindrical bores of the tubularinsert members of the connection plate received in the sleeves at theends of the side frame members of the conversion assembly.

[0019] Additional coupling lugs are connected to a portion of themotorcycle frame just forward of the rear drive wheel and on each sideof the motorcycle, and lug coupling or lug receiving brackets areconnected to the inside of each side frame member of the conversionassembly, extending inwardly thereof far enough to come intoregistration with the coupling lugs when the rear drive wheel of themotorcycle is received in the receiving space of the conversionassembly. The lug receiving brackets are secured to the side framemembers at a location thereon which will seat the coupling lugs in thebrackets at such time as the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle isreceived in the said receiving space and the insert members on theforwardly positioned connection plate are in registration with thesleeve members at the forward ends of the side frame members of theconversion assembly for reception therein.

[0020] The conversion assembly has its own braking system, including abrake pedal which is positioned to lie adjacent the brake pedal of themotorcycle when the conversion assembly is connected to the motorcycle.Thus, both can be depressed at the same time to apply the brakes of themotorcycle and of the auxiliary wheel conversion assemblysimultaneously.

[0021] A more detailed description of the auxiliary wheel conversionassembly in accordance with this invention is set forth in thedescription of preferred embodiment section hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0022]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a motorcycle having an auxiliarywheel conversion assembly in accordance with this invention connectedthereto.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the auxiliary wheel conversionassembly shown disconnected from the motorcycle.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a motorcycle to illustrate thecooperative connection members secured to the motorcycle to enable quickreleasable connection of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly to themotorcycle.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the auxiliary wheel conversionassembly in position behind the motorcycle just prior to bringing thetwo together for connection of the conversion assembly to themotorcycle.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a larger side elevation view of the auxiliary wheelconversion assembly to more clearly show the parts thereof that can beseen from the left-hand side;

[0027]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section of a connection sleeve memberof the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly and of one of the insert endsof the connection assembly which is secured to the frame of themotorcycle, the insert end shown received in the sleeve member of theconversion assembly.

[0028]FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view from the front of one of theU-shaped brackets of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly connectedto one of the conversion assembly's side frame members (shown insection).

[0029]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the U-shaped bracket shown inFIG. 7.

[0030]FIG. 9 is an end view from the front of the lug supporting bracketconnected to one of the motorcycle's rear wheel mounting frame side legs(shown in section), and showing the connecting lug on such bracket whichis received in the U-shaped bracket shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of theconversion assembly when it is connected to the motorcycle.

[0031]FIG. 10 is a view of one of the wheels of the auxiliary wheelconversion assembly showing the inwardly facing side which facesinwardly of the conversion assembly, showing the wheel support shaft insection which connects the wheel to the conversion assembly.

[0032]FIG. 11 is a partial end view from the front of the right-handside wheel of auxiliary wheel conversion assembly to more clearly showits connection to the frame of the conversion assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] A tricycle conversion assembly 2 for a motorcycle 4 in accordancewith this invention comprises a generally U-shaped frame 6 having a pairof outboard auxiliary wheels 8 which can be easily connected to anddisconnected from the motorcycle to convert it into a tricycle typevehicle when connected and to return to a conventional two wheelmotorcycle when disconnected.

[0034] The U-shaped frame 6 includes a laterally extending cross-bar 10across the rear of the conversion assembly 2, a first longitudinallyextending side leg 12 which extends along the left hand side of themotorcycle when connected, and a second longitudinally extending sideleg 14 which extends along the right hand side of the motorcycle whenconnected thereto. The rear drive wheel 16 of the motorcycle is receivedin the receiving space 18 of the frame 6 between the spaced apart sidelegs 12 and 14 when the conversion assembly 2 is connected to themotorcycle 4.

[0035] Each side leg 12 and 14 extend forwardly from opposite ends ofthe cross-bar 10 in substantially parallel relationship for a distancesomewhat greater than the diameter of the rear drive wheel 16 whereuponthey converge inwardly toward their respective connection points with aconnection assembly 20 secured to the lower mid-portion of themotorcycle frame 22.

[0036] Side leg 12 includes the inwardly converging diagonal leg portion24 and side leg 14 includes the inwardly converging diagonal leg portion26. The diagonal leg portions 24 and 26 each terminate forwardly with anintegrally formed laterally extending connecting sleeve 28 having athrough passageway 30 to receive corresponding insert end 32 oflaterally extending, tubular connection bar 34 of connection assembly 20secured to the lower mid-portion of the motorcycle frame 22.

[0037] The integrally formed connecting sleeves 28 at the forward end ofthe diagonal side leg portions 24 and 26 are cylindrical. The innerdiameter of their through passageway 30 corresponds to the outerdiameter of the insert ends 32 of the tubular connection bar 34 for snugreception of the insert ends 32 into respective ones of the throughpassageway 30 of the connecting sleeves 28. The connecting sleeves arepreferably about two to three inches long from end to end, and theinsert ends 32 extend into the sleeves 28 most of that distance.

[0038] However, the outer end 36 of each connecting sleeve 28 includesan integrally threaded portion 38 for threaded engagement with theexternally threaded portion 40 of connecting and locking pins 42. Theconnection bar 34 and its insert ends 32 are cylindrical and include abore or through passageway 44 therethrough. The connecting and lockingpins 42 each include a cylindrical insert shaft 46 which extends intothe bore 44 of each insert end 32 when each locking pin 42 is screwedinto threaded engagement of its externally threaded portion 40 withinternally threaded portion 38 of the connecting sleeves 28.

[0039] Each locking pin 42 includes a handle 48 pivotally connected toits outer end.

[0040] The U-shaped frame 6 also includes a front cross-bar 50 extendingacross between the diagonal side leg portions 24 and 26 and securedthereto at a location inwardly a short distance from their forward ends.

[0041] The frame 6 of the conversion assembly is additionally connectedto the motorcycle by a pair of U-shaped brackets 52 on the conversionassembly with their open ends facing forwardly to receive acorresponding pair of connecting lugs 54 extending laterally outwardlyfrom opposite sides of the motorcycle's rear wheel mounting frame 56.

[0042] The U-shaped brackets 52 are each connected to respective ones ofthe side legs 12 and 14 by a connecting bar 58 extending laterally andinwardly thereof into the receiving space 18 between the side legs 12and 14, and at a location rearwardly from the inwardly convergingdiagonal side leg portions 24 and 26.

[0043] The corresponding pair of connecting lugs 54 are connected torespective ones of the longitudinally extending side arm members 60 ofthe rear wheel mounting frame 56 by a bracket 62 bolted thereto and fromwhich the lugs 54 project laterally and outwardly.

[0044] The auxiliary wheels 8 are connected to the frame 6 of theconverging assembly 2 as follows. A pair of wheel support shafts 64project outwardly from respective ones of the side legs 12 and 14 at alocation thereon about midway between the rear cross-bar 10 and thebeginning of the inwardly converging diagonal side leg portions 24 and26. A cylindrical brake drum assembly 66 is secured to each of the wheelsupport shafts at a location radially offset from the center of thebrake drum assembly on a radius which extends vertically and downwardfrom the center.

[0045] A rotatable axle 68 extends outwardly from each of the brake drumassemblies 66 on which respective ones of the pair of auxiliary wheels 8are mounted for rotation.

[0046] The conversion assembly 2 includes its own separate brakingsystem to brake the auxiliary wheels 8, including a separate auxiliarybrake pedal 70 which is positioned on the conversion assembly in such away that it lies next to the motorcycle brake pedal 72 when theconversion assembly is connected to the motorcycle. The rider can thendepress both brake pedals 70 and 72 at the same time with his foot toapply braking force simultaneously to the auxiliary wheels 8 and reardrive wheel 16 of the motorcycle.

[0047] The braking system of the conversion assembly includes a fluidpressure assembly 74, tubular supply lines 76 leading from the fluidpressure assembly 74 to the brake drum assemblies 66, a piston rod 78extends from said fluid pressure assembly, and a connecting shaft 80connected at one end to piston rod 78 and at the other end to theauxiliary brake pedal 70 for operating the piston to apply fluidpressure to the brake drum assemblies 66 for braking the auxiliarywheels 8 when the brake pedal 70 is depressed and to release the brakingpressure when pressure on brake pedal 70 is released.

[0048] A hand grasp 82 is provided along the diagonally extending sideleg portion 24 of side leg 12 of the conversion assembly frame 6,extending laterally outward for a user to grasp and pull the conversionassembly forward into position for connecting to the motorcycle.

[0049] The tricycle conversion assembly 2 in accordance with the presentinvention is easily connected to and disconnected from a motorcycle.

[0050] To connect to a motorcycle, the conversion assembly is pulled upbehind the rear drive wheel 16 of the motorcycle with the forward spacedapart ends of the side legs 12 and 14 of conversion assembly frame 6facing the rear drive wheel 16 and positioned to receive it therebetweeninto the receiving space 18 between the frame side legs 12 and 14.

[0051] The connection assembly 20, if not previously connected, is thenconnected to the lower portion of the motorcycle frame 22. Theconnection assembly 20 comprises a laterally extending plate 84 whichextends across from frame member 86 to frame member 88 of the motorcycleframe 22 when positioned in place at the forward lowermost portion ofthe motorcycle frame 22. A flange 90 extends upwardly from the plate 84at each opposite end in facing relationship to respective ones of theframe members 86 and 88 of the motorcycle frame 22 to secure theconnection assembly 20 thereto by tightening the bolts 92 which extendthrough respective ones of the frame members 86 and 88 and throughrespective ones of flanges 90.

[0052] Also, if not previously connected to the motorcycle, theconnecting lugs 54 and their brackets 62 are secured to respective onesof the side arm members 60 of the rear motorcycle wheel mounting frame56, at the location thereon which will seat the connecting lugs 54 inthe receiving recesses of respective ones of the U-shaped brackets 52extending inwardly from side legs 12 and 14 of the conversion assemblyframe 6 when the insert ends 32 of connecting bar 34 of the connectionassembly 20 secured to a forward portion of the motorcycle frame are inposition for reception in the connecting sleeves 28 at the forward endsof the conversion assembly side legs 12 and 14.

[0053] The rear wheel 16 of the motorcycle is then backed over the frontcross-bar 50 of the conversion assembly frame 6 into the receiving space18 between the side legs 12 and 14 of the conversion assembly frameuntil the rear wheel 6 of the motorcycle is substantially in axialalignment with the auxiliary wheels 8 of the conversion assembly 2. Theperson connecting the assembly to the motorcycle then grasps the handgrasp 82 to move the conversion assembly forwardly or rearwardlywhatever slight amount necessary for the connecting sleeves 28 at theforward ends of the conversion assembly side legs 12 and 14 to line upwith the insert ends 32 of the connecting bar 34 on the connectionassembly 20 secured to the motorcycle frame 22. The insert ends 32 arethen inserted into the connecting sleeves 28 at which time theconnecting lugs 54 secured to the side arm members 60 on each side ofthe rear motorcycle wheel mounting frame 56 become seated in thereceiving recesses of the U-shaped brackets 52 extending inwardly from arearward portion of the conversion assembly side legs 12 and 14.

[0054] Each of the connecting and locking pins 42 are then screwed inplace, by inserting their insert shaft 46 in the bore of respective onesof the tubular insert ends 32 of connecting bar 34 and by threadedlyengaging the external threaded portion 40 of the locking pins 42 withthe internally threaded portion 38 of respective ones of the connectingsleeves 28.

[0055] The tricycle conversion assembly 2 is now securely connected andready for operating the motorcycle as a tricycle type vehicle, poweredby the rear drive wheel 16 of the motorcycle. A luggage carrier 94 ismounted at the rear of the conversion assembly 2 by legs 96 connected attheir lower end to the rear cross-bar 10 and to the carrier platform 98at the their upper end.

[0056] To disconnect the conversion assembly 2 from the motorcycle isequally quick and easy to do. The locking pins 42 are unscrewed and theconnecting sleeves 28 are separated from the insert ends 32 of theconnecting bar 34 on the connection assembly 20 secured to themotorcycle frame. The motorcycle can then be moved forwardly whereuponthe connecting lugs 54 secured to each side of the motorcycle rear wheelmounting frame 56 forwardly of the rear drive wheel 16, slip out fromthe receiving recesses of the U-shaped brackets 52 on the inward sidesof the conversion assembly side legs 12 and 14. The motorcycle is thencompletely disconnected from the conversion assembly 2 for use as aconventional two wheel motorcycle.

[0057] The connection assembly 20 and the connecting lugs 54 can remainconnected to the motorcycle when being used as a conventional two wheelmotorcycle. The conversion assembly 2 can then be quickly and easilyre-connected to the motorcycle when it is desired to use it as atricycle type vehicle.

[0058] When the conversion assembly 2 is connected to the motorcycle asdescribed, no additional connecting braces or other connecting membersare required. The spaces between the rear drive wheel 16 of themotorcycle and the side legs 12 and 14 of the conversion assembly 2spaced apart on opposite sides of the rear drive wheel are in factunobstructed. There is nothing across such spaces that has to beconnected and disconnected when connecting and disconnecting theconversion assembly to and from the motorcycle.

1-16 (canceled)
 17. An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for amotorcycle comprising: a frame having spaced apart side members defininga receiving space for a rear wheel of a motorcycle therebetween, a pairof wheels having a common axis of rotation but each wheel beingindependently rotatably connected to said frame along only one side ofsaid wheel and being connected to one of said side members opposite saidreceiving space with said pair of wheels not sharing a common axle, saidside members extending forward of said common axis of rotation of saidpair of wheels and said side members being connected to a rear crossmember located rearward of said pair of wheels on said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly, and wherein when said auxiliary wheel conversionassembly is connected to said motorcycle said rear wheel is received insaid receiving space and said pair of wheels are substantially incontact with a ground surface at all speeds at which said motorcycle maytravel over said ground surface, said auxiliary wheel conversionassembly having no means by which to selectively lift said pair ofwheels above said ground surface, and said frame of said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly is disposed substantially at or below an axis ofrotation of said motorcycle rear wheel when said pair of wheels and saidrear wheel of said motorcycle contact said ground surface.
 18. Anauxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle as in claim 17,wherein said auxiliary wheel conversion assembly is located entirelyrearward of a front wheel of said motorcycle when said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly is connected to said motorcycle.
 19. An auxiliarywheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle as in claim 17, wherein saidmotorcycle is biased toward an upright position when said auxiliarywheel conversion assembly is connected to said motorcycle.
 20. Anauxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle as in claim 17,wherein said auxiliary wheel conversion assembly is adapted to connectto a connection assembly which may remain connected to said motorcycleregardless of whether said auxiliary wheel conversion assembly isconnected to or disconnected from said motorcycle.
 21. An auxiliarywheel conversion assembly in combination with a motorcycle, comprising:said motorcycle comprising a first frame with a front wheel, and a reardrive wheel rotatably connected to said first frame, said auxiliarywheel conversion assembly comprising a second frame having spaced apartside members defining a receiving space therebetween, a pair of wheelshaving a common axis of rotation but each wheel being independentlyrotatably connected to said frame along only one side of said wheel andbeing connected to one of said side members opposite said receivingspace with said pair of wheels not sharing a common axle, said sidemembers extending forward of said common axis of rotation of said pairof wheels and said side members being connected to a rear cross memberlocated rearward of said pair of wheels on said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly, and wherein when said auxiliary wheel conversionassembly is connected to said motorcycle said rear wheel is received insaid receiving space and said pair of wheels are substantially incontact with a ground surface at all speeds at which said motorcycle maytravel over said ground surface, said auxiliary wheel conversionassembly having no means by which to selectively lift said pair ofwheels above said ground surface, and said frame of said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly is disposed substantially at or below an axis ofrotation of said motorcycle rear wheel when said pair of wheels and saidrear wheel of said motorcycle contact said ground surface.
 22. Anauxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle in combination witha motorcycle as in claim 21, said auxiliary wheel conversion assembly islocated entirely rearward of said front wheel of said motorcycle whensaid auxiliary wheel conversion assembly is connected to saidmotorcycle.
 23. An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcyclein combination with a motorcycle as in claim 21, wherein said motorcycleis biased toward an upright position when said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly is connected to said motorcycle.
 24. An auxiliarywheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle in combination with amotorcycle as in claim 21, wherein said auxiliary wheel conversionassembly is adapted to connect to a connection assembly which may remainconnected to said motorcycle regardless of whether said auxiliary wheelconversion assembly is connected to or disconnected from saidmotorcycle.
 25. An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcyclein combination with a motorcycle as in claim 21, further comprising aconnector to connect said auxiliary wheel conversion assembly to saidmotorcycle when said motorcycle rear drive wheel is received in saidreceiving space and to disconnect said auxiliary wheel conversionassembly from said motorcycle.
 26. An auxiliary wheel conversionassembly for a motorcycle in combination with a motorcycle as in claim25, wherein said connector further comprises a connection assemblyconnected to said motorcycle first frame.
 27. An auxiliary wheelconversion assembly for a motorcycle in combination with a motorcycle asin claim 26, wherein said connection assembly is adapted to remainconnected to said motorcycle first frame regardless of whether saidauxiliary wheel conversion assembly is connected to or disconnected fromsaid motorcycle.
 28. An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for amotorcycle in combination with a motorcycle as in claim 25, wherein saidconnector and said auxiliary wheel conversion assembly are locatedentirely rearward of said front wheel of said motorcycle when saidauxiliary wheel conversion assembly is connected to said motorcycle. 29.An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle in combinationwith a motorcycle as in claim 25, wherein said motorcycle is biasedtoward an upright position when said auxiliary wheel conversion assemblyis connected to said motorcycle.